There are any number of great places to eat in the Golden Triangle, week in and week out. But there is one place where food dollars spent Saturday can add power and punch to the fight against cancer. These once-annual “eateries” will be open for seven hours only and filled with fare from sweets to steaks. The target clientele is a special one — anyone and everyone who cares about the cause.
This year, Lowndes County’s Relay for Life American Cancer Society fundraiser has a new location — the Columbus Soccer Complex — and new hours — 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. But one thing that hasn’t changed is that food will be plentiful.
“If you are looking for good food to eat, family fun, entertainment and great activities, Relay for Life is where you want to be Saturday,” said Mott Ellis, who shares event lead duties with Tina Perry. Fifty-seven teams are raising money. About 45 of them will set up campsites, or booths, Saturday. Many will offer food. Chantea Williams and Kim Williams are among them.
“We’re not sisters, but we are sisters in spirit,” smiled Kim, as she and Chantea helped Amaya Morris, 7, and Kim’s 13-year-old daughter, Ashleigh, decorate cookies shaped like boxing gloves (to knock out cancer), tennis shoes (correlating to Saturday’s relay laps) and the word “Hope” Monday at Greater Mt. Zion Church. There’s another cookie shape, a skirt. Stop by their “Allstars” site Saturday to find out its significance.
“This is our first year to have a booth,” Chantea said. “We’ve always been involved with Relay for Life, but last year while we were walking on the track, we decided we wanted to take it to another level.” They came up with the novel idea of a “decorate-your-own-cookie” booth and settled on “Allstars” for their team name.
Both women have family members or other loved ones who have battled cancer.
Kim said, “We’re just real motivated. We’d love to hear of a miracle, that it’s all done, a cure has been discovered — but until then, we keep on with hope.”
Take your pick
Columbus Fire and Rescue’s site will prepare fish plates again this year, and they’re taking orders for smoked Boston butts ($30), which can be picked up May 9, in time for Mother’s Day. Place your order Saturday, or call 662-329-5121 to get yours in.
Fire and Rescue team captain and Relay committee member Tabitha Barham lost her grandfather to cancer three years ago. “It makes it more personal. And we have firefighters who have battled cancer. We’ve all been affected by it,” she said.
The Thunderbolts Savings Club is busy finalizing logistics for its campsite serving steak plates, rib tips, chicken and hot dogs.
“This is probably our eighth or ninth year to do it,” said Christina Granderson, who helps her father and the other men in the club at the annual fundraiser. She lost her mother to cancer in 2008.
“We have people coming back every year for the plates; they’re pretty popular,” she added. “It just really warms my heart to be part of something of this magnitude and to be able to help raise money. It gives me a lot of joy.”
The Caledonia Ratrods will serve up Redneck Lemonade in galvanized tubs and offer photos with the famous ratrod, a 1940s truck owned by Ben and Jane Kilgore. Susan Bell and Jackie Savage are team co-captains of this group of friends joining in support of several of their own who have undergone or are undergoing treatment for cancer.
“I tell everybody that it’s not ‘if’ cancer will touch your life, it’s ‘when,'” said Bell.
Gumbo to frito pies
Relay’s menu is extensive. Beersheba Cumberland Presbyterian Church will offer chicken gumbo made by Huck’s Place. The 37th Tigers from Columbus Air Force Base will make frito pies and “walking tacos.” You’ll find plenty of hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn and bake sales, as well as Pizza Hut pizza, caramel apples and funnel cakes. Between walking laps, families can play games and take in live music from the central stage located near the front concession building at the soccer complex.
“Our theme this year is ’30 Years of Relay: Rewind to the ’80s … Fast Forward to a Cure,'” said Tina Perry.
Laps specifically for survivors and caregivers are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. The luminaria ceremony is set for 7 p.m. A special ’80s Prom Lap invites everyone to show off nostalgic prom attire. There will be an ’80s Dance Lap, a Rewind Lap (reverse direction or walk backwards), and a Fast Forward Lap, for speed walking or jogging.
The event goal is to raise $165,000. Help reach it by taking the family out for lunch or dinner at Relay for Life Saturday. Walk some laps, enjoy the music, stop by the slime-making booth, play a dart game, have your face painted. Every dollar makes a difference.
Editor’s note: For more information about Lowndes County’s Relay for Life, visit http:bit.ly/1DykzDT, or contact Ellis, 662-574-1104, or Perry, 662-497-4084.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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